McLaren reveal Daniel Ricciardo Lando Norris difference at "absolute maximum"

Ewan Gale
Sunday 12 June 2022 09:00

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has revealed Daniel Ricciardo is lacking comfort compared to team-mate Lando Norris when pushing the MCL36 to the "absolute maximum".

Australian Ricciardo is facing increasing scrutiny for his performances at the Woking-based team after failing to score in the last four grands prix, his worst run since his first full season in F1 with Toro Rosso in 2012.

It has left Ricciardo 37 points adrift of team-mate Lando Norris, primarily as he has been on the back foot going into a race due to a lack of absolute pace in qualifying.

The eight-time race winner's Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend got off to an inauspicious start, finishing only 18th and 14th in Friday's opening practice sessions before qualifying 12th behind Norris.

Addressing whether there were any inherent technical aspects of the car Ricciardo was uncomfortable with, Seidl replied: "Best to answer this is Daniel.

"He described it very well in Monaco as well. When he goes into qualifying and he has to push his car to the absolute maximum, he just doesn't feel as comfortable as Lando.

"With just missing these last percentages, [it is] where the gap is coming from, together with the fact he is up against a Lando who is in top form. That is it."

Explaining what is required, Seidl added: "[It is] Simply important to stay calm, keep heads down, keep analysing and keep working on the car as well to see what we can do to help Daniel to feel more comfortable.

"At the same time, we will also work with Daniel on the simulator and so on to find these last percentages and then hopefully we can make these steps."